Health

Summertime Safety Tips

In the midst of these summer months in Minnesota, it is especially important to protect against the harmful effects of the hot summer sun and to take extra safety measures around water.

Did you know that each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 9.2 million children aged 0 to 19 years are seen in emergency departments for injuries, and 12,175 children die as a result of being injured. Whether you are relaxing at home, exploring one of Minnesota’s recreational areas or going for a swim, here are a few helpful reminders to ensure your comfort and safety.

Bleach is a useful cleaner and disinfectant, but pouring it down the drain will not do anything to help keep the drains clear. In addition, you could cause a dangerous chemical reaction if it comes into contact with other household products you might be using.

Common household bleach, also known as chlorine bleach, is a liquid compound of sodium hypochlorite, which is a combination of sodium chloride (a salt) with water and chlorine. It’s often used to whiten laundry or to disinfect kitchen surfaces. Bleach is also an ingredient in other household cleaners, like those used for bath and toilet cleaning. (A different sort of bleach, known as oxygen bleach, is used for laundry stain removal and does not have the same disinfecting/cleaning properties as chlorine bleach.)

Gas-powered motors on wind turbines?.

Thursday, 22 July 2010 14:08
EarthTalk® From the Editors of E/The Environmental Magazine.

Dear EarthTalk: I heard that some wind farms use fossil fuels to power their generators when the wind won’t. Doesn’t that defeat their whole renewable energy purpose? Why not let the wind power it or not? Also, I've heard that the low-frequency sounds generated by these turbines can harm people and animals. Is this true? -- Ryan Lewis, Plainwell, MI

Indeed, one of the major drawbacks to wind power is the fact that, even in windy locations, the wind doesn’t always blow. So the ability of turbines to generate power is intermittent at best. Many turbines can generate power only about 30 percent of the time, thanks to the inconsistency of their feedstock.

In order to overcome this Achilles’ heel of intermittent production, some wind companies have developed back-up systems that can spin turbines even when the wind isn’t blowing, thus optimizing and keeping consistent the power output. For example, Colorado-based Hybrid Turbines Inc. is selling wind farms systems that marry a natural gas-based generator to a wind turbine. “Even if natural gas is used, the electricity produced…is twice as environmentally clean as burning coal,” reports the company. Better yet, if a user can power them with plant-derived biofuels, they can remain 100 percent renewable energy-based.

MOFAS awards Family Summer Grants

Monday, 19 July 2010 15:49

The Minnesota Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is giving $6,400 in grant money to Minnesota families living with FASD for summer family activities. Thirty-two families will receive a $200 mini grant to do something fun and creative with family and friends this summer. These mini grants are possible because of individual donations and funding from private foundations.

“For many of our families, summer can be an extra trying time,” says Executive Director, Sara Messelt. “It is challenging to find both activities that are appropriate, and the money to do some of the things that many families take for granted.” With the help of MOFAS, these families will be able to spend the day at a water park or go to Valley Fair, head to the zoo, go camping or simply purchase a season pass to their local pool. All are great activities that families can enjoy together and have the structure, supervision, and opportunity for expending energy that many kids with FASD desire.

National AIDS Fund Applauds Release of National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS)

Friday, 16 July 2010 14:18
Kandy Ferree, President and CEO, National AIDS Fund

Pledges to Continue Leadership Role in Mobilizing the Private Sector In Response to NHAS’ “Increasing Access To Care” Pillar

Last week’s release of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS) by the Office of National AIDS Policy (ONAP) demonstrates the dedication and commitment of the Obama administration to fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United States. The three pillars of the NHAS -- Reducing Incidence, Increasing Access to Care and Reducing Health Disparities – offer a blueprint for an effective response to the disease domestically, and an opportunity for all of us in the corporate, philanthropic and HIV communities to come together to establish clear goals and measurable outcomes to affect real change.

Want to lose weight? Start walking now

Thursday, 15 July 2010 17:23
Sharon Rolenc

It may sound simple, but walking is the single most-effective form of exercise to achieve heart health, plus it has the lowest drop-out rate of any activity, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). And, to make it easier for Minnesotans to take that first step, exercise physiologist Jenna Johnson says the AHA is offering tips via a website, www.StartWalkingNow.org. She claims that, almost immediately, people will notice changes if they begin a walking program.

"If people have not been very active, they are going to see some benefits right away. Even the day of the first walk you are going to feel better at the end of the walk. Taking a break at the end, you are going to feel more relaxed, more comfortable, but people will see benefits fairly quickly."

Recycling plastic sandwich bags and wrap

Wednesday, 14 July 2010 11:22
EarthTalk® From the Editors of E/The Environmental Magazine.

Dear EarthTalk: Where do you recycle plastic stuff like sandwich bags, Saran wrap and plastic grocery store wrappers? Can they just go in with other plastics in the recycling bin? There never seems to be any information available about this. -- Renee La-Fountaine, Lake Hughes, CA

The reason you don’t hear much about recycling these types of plastic films is that most municipalities don’t take back items intended to wrap food. One exception may be sandwich bags, which are made from easy-to-recycle polyethylene, as long as any hard (i.e. “Ziploc”) components are removed and they are rinsed free of any food debris or stains.

Recent Comments

Latest show

Crystal McCrary, director of the film 'Little Ballers'. Carmen Robles, associate editor for Afrodescendientes in Insight News. Mohamud Noor, interim director of the Confederation of Somali Community in Minnesota.